Topline
Authorities arrested a man suspected of killing a Minnesota state lawmaker and shooting another, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz announced late on Sunday, a day after he described the incident as a “politically motivated assassination.”
This photo made available by the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office shows Vance Luther Boelter, the man … More
Key Facts
Walz also said Minnesota Senator John Hoffman, who was shot by the suspect on Saturday, came out of final surgery and is “moving towards recovery.”
A police official described the effort find and capture the suspect, 57-year-old Vance Boelter, as the “largest manhunt in the state’s history.”
Boelter was arrested in a field located in a rural part of Sibley County, in southwest Minneapolis, and he was being interviewed at a law enforcement facility, Drew Evans, the superintendent of the state’s Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, said.
Earlier on Sunday, a vehicle belonging to Boelter was found in Sibley County, Minnesota, about 60 miles from where the attacks took place and east of Boelter’s home in Green Isle, local police said.
Citing the criminal complaint filed by prosecutors, the Minnesota Star-Tribune reported that the suspected gunman faces two counts of second-degree murder and two counts of attempted second-degree murder.
According to the complaint, a search of Boelter’s vehicle by police led to the discovery of “at least three AK-47 assault rifles, a 9mm handgun, as well as a list of names and addresses of other public officials.”
The FBI released an image of who they believe is Vance Boelter, who appears to be wearing a mask and … More
Minnesota police released these images of suspected shooter Vance Boelter.
What Did Gov. Walz Say About Boelter’s Arrest?
“One man’s unthinkable actions have altered the state of Minnesota,” Walz said during the news conference announcing the suspect’s arrest. Calling for an end to political violence, Walz said “This cannot be the norm, it cannot be the way we deal with out political differences. Now is the time for us to recommit to the core values of this country.” In a statement issued on social media later, the governor said: “As a country we cannot become numb to this violence. We are a deeply divided nation. That has become even more clear over the last two days. The way we move forward and solve the problems facing our nation is not through hate. It is not through violence. It is through humility, and grace, and civility.”
What Did Police Say About Boelter’s Arrest?
After discovering his abandoned vehicle, state and federal law enforcement officials set up a “large-scale perimeter” and deployed SWAT teams in Sibley County. An officer spotted the suspect “running into the woods.” After around an hour and a half of searching, authorities were able to find Boelter’s exact location using aerial infrared surveillance. He eventually “crawled to law enforcement teams” and was immediately placed under arrest, Minnesota State Patrol Lt. Col. Jeremy Geiger said. There was “no use of force by any member of law enforcement that was out there” when Boelter was taken into custody, Geiger added.
What Has President Trump Said About The Minnesota Shooting?
President Donald Trump issued a statement Saturday on the shootings, saying he had “been briefed on the terrible shooting that took place in Minnesota,” and “such horrific violence will not be tolerated in the United States of America.”
What Did Vance Boelter Tell His Roommates?
Boelter sent a text message to his roommates saying he “may be dead shortly,” one roommate told the Minnesota Star Tribune. Boelter told them he “made some choices, and you guys don’t know anything about this, but I’m going to be gone for a while.” David Carlson, Boelter’s roommate, told the Star Tribune that Boelter was dealing with financial hardships after quitting his job to go to the Democratic Republic of the Congo for business.
What We Know About The Suspected Shooter Vance Boelter
At a press briefing at around 4 p.m. EDT on Saturday, state police shared images of the suspect, 57-year-old Vance Boelter, characterizing him as a 6-foot-1 inch white male, about 220 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes, and said he was wearing a light-colored cowboy hat and dark shirt when last seen. Authorities asked the public to call 911 if they see Boelter, but not to approach him, as he’s considered armed and dangerous. Local police told the Minnesota Star Tribune that, early Saturday morning, they noticed an SUV with emergency lights and someone who initially appeared to be a police officer at Hortman’s door, but the person, allegedly Boelter, “immediately fired at officers” after being confronted, and fled back into the house. Mark Bruley, the chief of police in Brooklyn Park, said police searched the vehicle and uncovered a list that identified “many lawmakers and other officials,” including Hortman and Hoffman, according to MinnPost. CNN reports Boelter’s apparent list included 70 names, including “abortion providers,” and “pro-abortion rights advocates.” Police also said they found sheets of paper with “No Kings” written on them, a likely reference to the widespread protests planned for Saturday. CNN also reported Boelter, according to a law enforcement official, works for a Minnesota-based security company named Praetorian Guard Security. He is listed on the company website’s leadership page as director of security patrols, and described as having “on the ground experiences combined with training by both private security firms and by people in the U.S. Military.”
This photo provided by Minnesota State Patrol shows writings in the fake police car law enforcement … More
Key Background
Hortman, 55, was a top Democratic leader in the Minnesota Legislature. First elected in 2004, she served as House speaker from 2019 to 2025 and spearheaded key legislation, including universal free school lunches statewide and a red flag gun law—which allows police or family members to petition the courts to have a gun removed from those considered a threat to themselves or others—according to the Minnesota Star Tribune. Hoffman, 60 and also a top Democrat in the legislature, is a member of the state Senate first elected in 2012. He served as chair of the Human Services Committee, according to CBS News, and has also served on committees for energy, environment and health services.
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